Should I Learn to Code?

It’s the question of our generation.  With all of the incredible technological advances happening every day, it’s not unreasonable to want in on the action.  Of course, if coding were simple, everybody would be doing it.

Now, that’s not to say that not everybody can learn– just that most people give up too early without proper guidance.  

Someday, coding might be to us what working on cars was to our parents.  Public schools might start teaching a basic software class to help students get a head start.  Yes, we’re speculating here. In reality, most people still don’t know how to code, so now is the perfect time to break in.

So… What’s the Answer?

In short, yes!  You should learn how to code.  But remember, not everybody will love coding.  The more you enjoy it, the more likely it is that you’ll be good at it, so keep that in mind.  While you don’t need all the answers upfront, we put together a short self-questionnaire to help you decide.

1. Am I a problem-solver?

This question sounds cliche, but it’s imperative to ask anyway.  An essential aspect of coding is called debugging.  This process requires patience and a knack for problem-solving, as you could sift through thousands of lines of code before noticing the problem.  Now, if that sounds intimidating, it should–debugging is often a source of frustration for beginners.

Developing your problem-solving skills will be necessary throughout your career, even if you’re creating your own software program.  To sum it all up, if you enjoy puzzles and riddles, you’ll love this aspect of coding.

     2.  Do I think outside of the box?

“Again with the cliches!?”  Unfortunately, yes. But seriously, all of the excellent programs we use would’ve never come into existence without some seriously wacky minds.  Great developers combine existing ideas with out-of-the-box thinking to create useful new programs.

Think about Facebook for a moment.  Sure, platforms like Myspace existed before, but Mark Zuckerberg recognized a need, built upon existing ideas, and created something far superior.  

We’re not saying you’ll become a billionaire, but think about the mindset that fuels innovation in the tech industry.  If you’re an inventive and creative person, just imagine what you could do if you knew how to code.

I think I’d be a great coder.  Now what?

If you’ve made it this far, you probably think you’re a good fit for coding.  That’s awesome, and we’re happy to hear it. But, when you’re contemplating a programming career, there’s still an essential factor you need to consider.  

“But wait, I’m not really interested in a programming career.”  

Why not?  At this point, you should be.  Technology is taking over the world whether we like it or not, and the future of work looks a lot different than it does today.  Do you want to look back in a few decades and regret this missed opportunity? Anybody can be a programmer, regardless of their former career, education, gender, race, or age.  That’s one of the best things about the tech industry; if you can do the work, you’ve got a real shot. Also, compensation is ridiculously good. Consider that for a moment, then ask yourself one more question:

1. Why do I want to code?

It’s true, developers and software engineers make a lot of money.  Six-figure incomes are extremely common in the coding field, and average salary usually increases with each passing year.  But, if you’re only in it for the money, you’ll probably lack the motivation to work through frustration. Programming is a skilled craft, and most skill only comes from passion and necessity.

These days, countless employees report feeling useless at their jobs.  It seems like companies spend most of their time assigning useless tasks to workers just to keep them busy.  We can speculate about why that is, but one thing is certain: the tech industry does NOT work that way.  

Your success as a programmer directly correlates with the amount of effort you put in, so there’s no clocking-in and wasting time.  If you’re dissatisfied at work or stuck on the corporate ladder, a programming career could be just what you need. Coders boast high job satisfaction because each and every keystroke matters.  If meaning is what you crave– or boredom is what you hate, you’ll be a great fit.

How to become a coder in less than a year.

You don’t need student loans or a college degree to become a programmer.  The demand for coders in the tech industry is enormous, and colleges can’t meet the quota.  As a result, numerous fast-track coding bootcamps have sprung up across the country.

These programs cram many years’ worth of coding experience into months, raising students from the ground-up for a job in the tech industry.  

Remember, you can come from any background and succeed with the help of a coding bootcamp.  It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and you’ll have access to all the necessary tools to become a fantastic coder.  We have a lot more to say about coding bootcamps, but the bottom line is, you can do it.